Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office Announces the Arrest of Mother and Daughter-in-Law Duo for More Than $70,000 of Medicaid Fraud

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office announced the arrest of a mother and daughter-in-law duo for allegedly committing more than $70,000 in Medicaid fraud. Jennifer Kester and Lucy Watson allegedly ran a scheme that involved Kester and Watson billing the Medicaid program for services that were not actually provided to Watson’s developmentally disabled son. According to the investigation, Watson, as the guardian of her son, submitted timesheets for work that was not provided.

“We will continue to protect Floridians’ taxpayer dollars from these types of egregious crimes, and my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will continue to uphold the integrity of the program,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Kester and Watson were both charged with one count of Medicaid Fraud, a first degree felony, and each could face 30 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Tampa Police Department arrested Watson, and the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Department in South Carolina arrested Kester.